Solidarity, along with internationalism, is one of the core values of the WPA. These core values contained and reflected in its daily activities, while sculpturing the inter-organizational and intra-organizational relations, also construct the identity and image of the association.

Solidarity, as a term, from Latin solidum (whole, sum), was first used in the mid-19th century. Defined as the union arising from common responsibilities, interests, purposes, and feelings between members/parts of a group, solidarity is a paradigm and a modus operandi for the WPA. The interdependence of its components via set regulations and ethical values build up a greater impact than the total sum of its parts.

In the fields of psychiatry and mental health, solidarityis materialized in various examples of partnershipsand collaborative activities aiming sharedgoals. Solidarity of the psychiatrists with the othermedical and mental health professionals, with thepeople experiencing ill mental health, and theircarers, and with their relevant organizations generaterewarding outcomes on international level. InWPA, solidarity, based on respect to the voice of itscomponents, capacity of containing various opinions,orientations and perspectives, and guidingthem towards shared objectives improves the internationalidentity and potency of this association.

High professional ethical standards, high qualityscientific research, good clinical praxis, comprehensiveand non-discriminatory mentalhealth servicesand training programmes across the world couldbecome concrete ambitions only through solidarityandinternationalism.

All of the WPA Components have been contributingto this core value of solidarity; also reflectedhere on the pages of the WPA News.We arepleased that the WPA News increases the visibilityof this genuine asset of the WPA, and would like tokindly ask you tocontinue on contributing to ourcore values.